Dr Shazia Anwer Cheema
Every year, Azerbaijani people on December 12 commemorate the death anniversary of Azerbaijani Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. He was the architect and founder of the modern and independent Azerbaijani state, a world-renowned politician, and the national leader of the Azerbaijani people. For me, Heydar Aliyev is (was) a personality who created the modern history of Azerbaijan.
Heydar Aliyev’s philosophy for Azerbaijan, after gaining independence, determined the place of Azerbaijan in the modern world and provided a strong basis for the solidarity of the world Azerbaijanis as an ideological ground for national statehood.
Snatching independence from the former Soviet Union was only possible because the Azerbaijani nation, even under the rule of the Soviet Union, had a savior, who had been teaching them that the time was not far away when every Azerbaijani would enjoy independence. He was of course Heydar Aliyev, who was elected as the leader of Azerbaijan on July 14, 1969, under Soviet rule.
If we read Azerbaijani history carefully, we can understand that Heydar Aliyev had been moving Azerbaijan toward independence step by step since 1970, when he was selected as head of the Azerbaijan State.
Since language is the identity of any nation, Heydar Aliyev tactfully obtained the acceptance of the Azerbaijani language within the framework of the state in the 1978 Constitution (under the Soviet era), and he trained Azerbaijani youth to work in every sphere of prosperity, from the construction of industrial plants and factories to obtaining the best education in humanities. I believe he was very clear that every step was taking his nation toward full independence sooner or later.
Under his command, in the 1970s, Azerbaijan’s national industry and industrial production more than doubled, the productivity of labor also increased, agricultural production increased by 270%, and the national consumption of goods tripled.
Giving this background of the Soviet era is important for me because I want to tell my readers that leaders are always visionary, and they visualize how to uplift their nations even under foreign rule. Today what makes Azerbaijan a prosperous and confident nation is the outcome of the vision of Heydar Aliyev’s philosophy of Azerbaijanism, also known as Aliyevism. That philosophy was a triangulation of history, culture, and national identity, and it provides the principles of national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Overall, Heydar Aliyev’s philosophy of Azerbaijanism was embodied by allegiance to national unity, economic development, and a strong, independent Azerbaijan. His legacy continues to shape Azerbaijani politics and society today. This year Azerbaijan is celebrating the 100th birthday of Heydar Aliyev on 10 May 2023.
To my understanding, “Heydar Aliyevism” is a mix of good governance with a focus on nationalism, legal and administrative reforms, national identity and moral values, social justice and humanity, and internationalism while protecting indigenous civilization.
Heydar Aliyev had a vision for Azerbaijan that was focused on modernization, economic development, and national unity. He believed that Azerbaijan had the potential to become a prosperous and powerful country, but that achieving this goal required significant changes in politics, economics, and society.
One of Aliyev’s key priorities was to build a strong, diversified economy that could support the needs of the population and compete in the global marketplace. He focused on developing Azerbaijan’s energy sector, particularly its oil and gas resources, and pursued policies aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting trade.
In addition to economic development, Heydar Aliyev also emphasized the importance of national unity and social solidarity. He wanted to overcome ethnic and political splits within Azerbaijan and promote a sense of shared national identity and perseverance. Aliyev’s policies included actions to improve education, healthcare, and social welfare, as well as efforts to strengthen the rule of law and promote democratic reforms.
Heydar Aliyev believed that the philosophy of Azerbaijanism is (was) key to resolving the challenges Azerbaijan was facing internally and externally. It could be an interesting case study for other nations to decipher how a single philosophy provided a roadmap for all future courses of action and was powerful enough to build a strong, prosperous nation. This philosophy provides tangible solutions internally and externally. Internally, Heydar Aliyev saw Azerbaijanism as a means of promoting social harmony and political stability within the country. He believed that by emphasizing the importance of Azerbaijani national identity and culture, he could overcome ethnic and political divisions and create a sense of shared purpose and pride among the Azerbaijani people. He documented every martyr of the nation, and the same legacy was transferred to his son, who is now President of the country and whose doors are always open for the families of martyrs, and who looks after families of martyrs as their father.
Externally, Heydar Aliyev saw Azerbaijanism as a means of asserting Azerbaijan’s autonomy and independence in the face of external pressures and challenges. He believed that by promoting Azerbaijani culture and history, he could counter endeavors by neighboring countries to influence or dominate Azerbaijan. He provided a framework for national rhetoric, which is sound, solid, and holistic in nature and focused on all factions. To my understanding, the five-point approach made Azerbaijan a strong and successful nation, and they are as follows:
Promoting Azerbaijani national identity: Heydar Aliyev emphasized the importance of Azerbaijani national identity and culture as a unifying force for the country. He promoted the teaching of the Azerbaijani language and history in schools and encouraged the celebration of national holidays and festivals.
Addressing regional disparities: Heydar Aliyev recognized that there were significant economic and social disparities between different regions of Azerbaijan, and he sought to address these through targeted development programs and investment.
Encouraging political participation: Heydar Aliyev encouraged political participation and representation for all groups within Azerbaijan, including ethnic minorities. He worked to create a more inclusive political system and appointed members of minority groups to positions of power and influence.
Strengthening the rule of law: Heydar Aliyev recognized that a strong, independent judiciary was essential for ensuring political stability and social harmony. He worked to strengthen the rule of law and reduce corruption within the government and legal system.
Pursuing peaceful resolution of conflicts: Heydar Aliyev recognized that conflicts with neighboring countries, particularly Armenia, were a major source of tension and division within Azerbaijan. He pursued a policy of peaceful negotiation and dialogue to try to resolve these conflicts while also strengthening Azerbaijan’s military capabilities as a deterrent.
Overall, Heydar Aliyev’s foresight for Azerbaijan was based on the idea of building a strong, independent, and modern country that could meet the needs of its people and play a stellar role in the region and the world. His strategies and ideas helped to lay the groundwork for Azerbaijan’s development and success in the years following his presidency.
The philosophy of communication, which is my discipline of studies, teaches me that the transferring of thought is based on the clarity of the message. The receiver can get the message with its connotations and denotations. The doable communication process between the sender and receiver of the message is the most important factor in human communication and understanding. One of the most important qualities of a leader is that he is well understood and well received by his nation, and this is possible when a leader talks about what the public wishes to listen to. Heydar Aliyev shall always remain one of the greatest leaders for Azerbaijanis because he provided them with what they wanted for centuries, and that was independence from foreign rulers; a respectable place in global politics; a strong nation; and an undefeated country in the heart of the Caucasian region.
Heydar Aliyev was a great statesman who shaped the modern history of Azerbaijan, becoming a true legend of his time. History remembers him as a unique leader, a strong head of state, a selfless man, and a legendary figure capable of carrying the heavy burden of nation-building.
Throughout his life, Heydar Aliyev devoted his entire life to the progress and prosperity of the people and state of Azerbaijan. Under his leadership, the republic evolved from a backward agrarian region of the former Soviet Union into one of its leading republics during the 1970s and 1980s. This period witnessed rapid economic development, the establishment of hundreds of industrial enterprises, a considerable increase in employment, the expansion of secondary and higher education institutions, and steady social advancement.
The name and legacy of Heydar Aliyev will forever live in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people and future generations. The chronicle of the life of this excellent man is to be read, studied, and promoted, because the life of Heydar Aliyev is the history of Azerbaijan that we are living.
